Rules & Regulations Broadside - Castle Garden - 1855

Introduction

The article "Rules and Regulations Broadside - Castle Garden 1855" provides an in-depth look at the official rules and regulations established for the processing of immigrants at Castle Garden, the first immigration station in the United States. This document, originally issued in 1855, outlines the procedures and guidelines that governed the operation of Castle Garden as an entry point for millions of immigrants arriving in New York City. The broadside reflects the early efforts to manage the flow of immigrants and maintain order within the facility.

Interior View of Castle Garden Immigrant Depot circa 1855. INS Reporter, Fall 1976. GGA Image ID # 14b22f82b7

1. On landing at the depot, all emigrant passengers shall be carefully examined as they pass from the vessel to the Castle to ascertain whether any are liable to be specially bonded or in such a condition of health as to require hospital care.

2. The examining officer shall carefully record such persons liable to be specially bonded and immediately report to the Mayor at his office.

3. The examining officer shall also record such persons who require hospital care and have them placed in charge for immediate removal to the appropriate hospital.

4. Before passengers shall be permitted to disperse themselves in the enclosure, each person or head of the family shall be interrogated appropriately concerning the destination, the route of travel preferred, if any, and the means possessed for defraying the expense of transportation, of which proper record shall be made.

5. At the time of making a record, or at any other time, such advice and information shall be imparted in each case as may be desired or as the parties seem to require.

6. No officer or other person shall recommend one route of travel in preference to another, having the same destination, nor recommend the purchase of tickets from one office in the enclosure in preference to another, under the penalty of exclusion from the depot, provided that such exclusion shall not be taken as relieving an offending party from prosecution, under the laws of the State, for improperly soliciting emigrant passengers.

7. Immediately after examination, the emigrant passengers shall be furnished with an adequate supply of Croton water [ ] to enable them to cleanse their persons.

8. The interior of the Castle Garden, as well as the galleries and promenade connected to that, shall be free for the use of the recently arrived emigrants until they are ready to depart.

9. When the emigrant elects to remain in the city of New York or its vicinity, he will be permitted to leave the enclosure by the landside so soon as he has adequately cleansed his person with water.

10. The expense of landing luggage from the emigrant vessels to the emigrant depot shall be borne by the owners of such ships. The cost of transferring it from the depot to the point of departure from the city shall be borne by the proprietors of the travel route for which they are ticketed. Such emigrants who remain in New York City shall defray the expense of removing their luggage from the depot.

11. The proprietors of the several routes of travel are required to transport by water conveyance, from the depot at Castle Garden, all emigrant passengers who may have been ticketed there, together with their luggage, to the starting place of such proprietors, and placed in their conveyance free of any expense whatever. In no case shall transportation by land from the depot be permitted unless the passage by water is so obstructed by ice as to make it imperatively necessary, and in that case, the expense of such transportation shall be borne by such proprietors of routes.

12. Before the removal of luggage by the proprietors of any travel route from the depot, the same shall be weighed. Each piece shall be ticketed to its destination, with an expected number for all the pieces of luggage of any one passenger, and a proper check given to each passenger, setting forth the number of his luggage ticket, the number of pieces of luggage, the gross weight, and the charge he is liable to for its transportation to the point of destination. The same is to be signed as a receipt for the luggage by a proper agent of the proprietors of the several travel routes.

13. No person shall be employed by any party occupying an office within the enclosure as a clerk, ticket seller, interpreter, or in any other capacity unless first submitted for approval to the Commissioners of Emigration and approbation is given. Such approval may be withdrawn anytime, and the person may be excluded from the premises.

14. The Committee on the Emigrant Landing Depot is empowered to suspend any officer or employee of the Commissioners, or any clerk or other employee of other parties, stationed in the depot, for violation of the rule and temporarily to fill any vacancy that may occur in the officers of the Commissioners, and approve of appointments by other parties, subject to the action of the Commissioners.

15. No licensed emigrant runner shall be permitted to enter the premises under any pretense.

16. No person shall be admitted within the enclosure except the officers, employees, and emigrant passengers unless there is special permission from the officer in charge. A book shall be kept in which the name of every person specially admitted and the time of admittance shall be registered.

"Rules and Regulations for The Government of The Emigrant Landing Depot at Castle Garden," Office of the Commissioners of Emigration, New York, June 13th, 1855. At a Meeting of the Board held this day, the preceding Rules and Regulations for the government of the Emigrant Depot at Castle Garden were adopted.

Rules & Regulations Broadside - Castle Garden - 1855

A Window into Early Immigration Management

The "Rules & Regulations Broadside - Castle Garden - 1855" offers a detailed exploration of the first official guidelines governing the immigrant processing center at Castle Garden in New York City. This fascinating document outlines the measures implemented to ensure order, fairness, and efficiency in managing the large influx of immigrants arriving in the mid-19th century. For teachers, students, genealogists, family historians, and immigration enthusiasts, this page provides a compelling glimpse into how early American immigration policies shaped the experiences of millions of newcomers.

Why This Page is Crucial for Exploring Immigration History

1. Essential for Educators and Students
   • Highlights the origins of structured immigration processing in the U.S., making it an invaluable resource for lessons on policy development and immigrant integration.
   • Encourages critical discussions on how these early rules reflect societal attitudes and logistical challenges of the era.
2. A Treasure for Genealogists and Family Historians
   • Provides a snapshot of the procedures ancestors would have experienced upon their arrival, offering context for family narratives.
   • Explains the regulations on luggage, health checks, and transport, helping to recreate the journey of immigrant forebears.
3. An Insightful Resource for Historians and Immigration Scholars
   • Documents the methods used to manage mass immigration and ensure accountability, shedding light on the evolution of immigration governance.
   • Reflects early attempts to balance immigrant welfare with the practicalities of integrating newcomers into a growing nation.

Key Highlights of the Article

• Structured Arrival Process:
  Immigrants were subjected to health examinations and interviews upon arrival to assess their destination plans, means of support, and transportation preferences.

• Fairness and Oversight:
  Regulations prohibited officers and agents from recommending specific travel routes or ticketing offices, ensuring impartiality.

• Support for Immigrants:
  Immigrants were provided access to Croton water for personal hygiene, temporary use of the Castle Garden facilities, and assistance with luggage transportation.

• Transport and Ticketing System:
  Detailed procedures were outlined for weighing, tagging, and ticketing immigrant luggage, with transport costs clearly documented and regulated.

• Exclusion of Exploitative Practices:
  Licensed "emigrant runners," who were known to exploit newcomers, were strictly barred from entering the premises, safeguarding immigrants from fraud.

• Accountability and Oversight:
  All employees and contractors within Castle Garden were subject to approval and oversight by the Commissioners of Emigration to maintain integrity and efficiency.

Call to Action

Dive into the "Rules & Regulations Broadside - Castle Garden - 1855" to uncover the foundational principles that governed one of America’s first immigrant processing centers. This page is a vital resource for understanding the early efforts to create a humane and organized immigration system. Whether you're a teacher crafting lessons, a genealogist tracing family roots, or a history enthusiast, this document offers invaluable insights into the immigrant experience and the policies that shaped the United States. Explore the origins of America's immigration story today!